Effie Afton

CLANCY

Posted By: Ken Wright <kenneth565@aol.com>
Date: 5/6/2009 at 23:20:44

Maquoketa Sentinel, May 8, 1856.

TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION

ROCK ISLAND RAILROAD BRIDGE GONE

STEAMER EFFIE AFTON BURNT

Through the politeness of Mr. R. B. Clancy, who has just returned from Davenport, we learn that 250 feet of the great Railroad Bridge that spans the Mississippi at Rock Island, was burned down, together with the splendid new steamer Effie Afton, on Tuesday last. No lives lost, but the cargo is reported as being entirely destroyed. It appears that the steamer caught in the bridge, the river being very full and the current swift, it was impossible to keep between the piers; consequently she came in collision with the bridge, smashed her pipes, and in her efforts to free herself, became closely wedged in, that all efforts to get loose were unavailing.
(Note: In a subsequent lawsuit by the owners of the Effie Afton against the bridge company for obstruction of navigation, the bridge company was defended by attorney Abraham Lincoln.)

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